True Gamers Hosts First Cross-Emirates Tournament for Amateur eSports Teams in the UAE

True Gamers fuels the UAE eSports scene, which is predicted to grow to $17.58 million by 2028 as one of the fastest markets in gaming, thanks to digitalization, the use of smartphones, and rising gaming awareness. 

[Dubai, the UAE – February 10th]: True Gamers, a leading international eSports lounges, hosted the first-ever cross-Emirates eSports tournament, bringing together non-professional gamers from Dubai and Sharjah. The event, held on February 7th and 9th, 2023, featured two popular titles: Fortnite and FC 24.

The February 7th Fortnite tournament saw a thrilling competition between 27 teams and 54 players battling for the best prize. Teams from diverse locations, including Sharjah Al Zahi, Dubai International City Pavillion, Dubai Damac Hills 2, Dubai Villa Nova, and Dubai Blue Waters, showcased their skills, culminating in a nail-biting finale between Al Zahi and Villa Nova. Gamers had an opportunity to receive a marvelous experience and feel the true spirit of the eSport tournaments in real life. 

The team of Oscar and Zayaan from Villa Nova emerged victorious, claiming the top prize of 1000 AED and an invite to the Fortnite monthly final. Other top performers were also handsomely rewarded, fueling the competitive spirit among participants. Second and third-place players received 500 AED and 300 AED, respectively, with all winnings credited to their club accounts for in-lounge benefits at True Gamers clubs.

Following the Fortnite tournament, the February 9th FC 24 tournament witnessed 20 individual players competing for the top sport. An intense competition sparked between Club Sharjah Al Zahi and Dubai International Citi Pavilion. Abdullah Yahya ultimately claimed the champion’s title, followed by Ahmed and Abdullah Jaffar, securing second and third places, respectively. The prize pool was 1000 AED in cash, with the first place receiving 500 AED, the second place receiving 300 AED, and the third place receiving 200 AED. 

The events in the UAE marked a significant milestone for the eSports scene, showcasing Dubai’s commitment to the gaming industry. “We promised to host the tournament and have fulfilled that promise despite all the challenges. We are confident that such events will continue to grow and reach new heights. We started with cross-Emirates tournaments, a tradition that we aim to continue by expanding to new locations across the UAE and setting a real trend,” said Vlad Belyanin, CTO and co-founder of True Gamers.

Unsurprisingly, such tournaments became a real magnet for people to get into eSports and become a part of history while participating in large-scale stadiums. The UAE can now be seen as a hub for eSports that aims at attracting global businesses as well as supporting local talent. While not everyone knows where to start with this industry, True Gamers is taking the lead by introducing eSport tournaments for beginners to gain some invaluable experience and skills.

True Gamers also provided top-of-the-line equipment for both tournaments, ensuring a seamless and competitive experience for professional and casual players. For instance, Sharjah Al Zahi club players utilized Logitech G Pro X Superlight Wireless, PRO-X-KEYBOARD, and PRO X Gaming Headset. In contrast, Dubai International City Pavillion club players wielded HyperX Pulsefire Haste, Pulsefire Surge, Comfort Zone – HyperX Alloy Origins, Vip – HyperX Alloy Origins 60, and HyperX Alpha Cloud II headsets.

Anton Vasilenko, CEO and co-founder, concluded, “We’re thrilled to bring such eSports tournaments to the UAE, providing a platform for gamers to showcase their talent, eschew the honor of the city, and compete on a regional level.”

The UAE stands at the forefront of the eSports industry, with an expected annual growth rate of 5.28% and a market value of $372.6 million. True Gamers is set to fuel this growth as the company plans to expand its tournaments between Emirates and organize tournaments between GCC states.

About True Gamers

True Gamers is a global network of next-gen eSports spaces. Since its inception in 2019, the network has grown to 124 eSports lounges in the UAE and Eastern Europe. With a turnover of $11.3 million for 2022 and a monthly client base of 300 thousand, the company has raised $13.5 million for MENA expansion, opening 9 eSports lounges in Dubai’s prime locations.